Certified Rhythm Analysis Technician (CRAT) Practice Exam

The appearance of a Parkinsonian tremor on an electrocardiogram (ECG) tracing is characterized by an erratic baseline. This is primarily due to the involuntary shaking and movements that individuals with Parkinson's disease experience, which can cause fluctuations in the electrical signals picked up by the ECG leads. These fluctuations create a non-linear and erratic pattern, reflecting the irregular muscle contractions associated with the tremor.

In contrast, other answers like a flat line would suggest no electrical activity or movement, which is not the case in a Parkinsonian tremor. Uniform small spikes could imply a consistent rhythm or pattern, which again does not accurately represent the chaotic nature of the tremors. A wandering baseline would suggest fluctuations but not necessarily capture the specific erratic nature associated with the tremor itself. The term "erratic baseline" encompasses the unpredictable and variable nature of the electrical signals observed in the presence of a Parkinsonian tremor.